Yankees May Be Close To Getting Tigers' Gonzalez

NEW YORK — The Yankees and Detroit Tigers were close to a deal Thursday that could eventually bring outfielder Juan Gonzalez to New York.

There was no word of an agreement from either team, but progress was confirmed to The Associated Press by two basball lawyers who spoke on the condition they not to identified.

They did not say which players the Yankees would send to Detroit for the two-time American League Most Valuable Player, who is eligible for free agency after the session. If the teams agree to a trade, the Yankees would have 72 hours to sign Gonzalez to a contract extension, which would make the deal final.

"What deal?" Gonzalez said in Toronto before the Tigers played the Blue Jays. "Rumors. There's lots of rumors. I'm going to talk to my agent after the game."

Anew contract figures to be a major obstacle for the Yankees. After acquiring Gonzalez from Texas on Nov. 2 in a nine-player trade, the Tigers attempted to sign him to an extension.

Detroit was said to have offered a $140 million, eight-year deal, which would be baseball's richest in total and average, but Gonzalez was said tohave wanted $148 million or more. The figures have never been confirmed by the Tigers or Gonzalez's agents.

"As far as anything being close to happening, I don't know anything more now than I did before, " Yankees manager Joe Torre said in Boston after lunching with owner George Steinbrenner.

Left field and designated hitter have been major disappointments for the Yankees, causing Steinbrenner to push for change. Ricky Ledee is hitting .239 with six homers and 28 RBI, and Shane Spencer is batting 274 with nine homers and 31 RBI.

New York has offered a variety of prospects in its rich farm system, but the Yankees' proposal was unclear. New York also has talked with the Chicago cubs about Sammy Sosa, but the Cubs have demanded nearly all the top Prospects in New York's system, one of the baseball lawyers said.

Some Yankees officials have argued that instead of offense, New York should ooncentrate its efforts on pitch- ing. David Cone (1 -6) and Roger Clem-ens (4-6) have struggled. Clemens is on the disabled list, and Orlando Her- nandez sprained an elbow last week-end.

Still, at 4.43, the Yankees began the night with the league's third-best ERA, trailing only Boston (3.95) and Chicago (4.34).

Drew Henson, projected to be Michigan's starting quarterback this fall, likely would be included in any deal. Henson is a third-base prospect and was selected to play in baseball's prestigious Futures game in Atlanta next month, but there's no assurance he will choose baseball over football.

Perez, Rice lead future

NEW YORK -- Marlins special assistant Tony Perez, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame next month, was picked as manager for the world team in baseball's All-Stars Futures game July 9 at Atlanta's Turner Field.

Former Red Sox star Jim Rice, currently Boston's hitting coach, was picked as manager of the U.S. team.

Perez, a seven-time All-Star, was voted into the Hall of Fame and will be inducted July 23 in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Rice was the American League MVP in 1978.

Around the AL

BLUE JAYS: RHP Roy Halladay, demoted to the minors on May 16, will be recalled Saturday and pitch against the Red Sox.

INDIANS: General Manager John Hart said OF Manny Ramirez could be out another three weeks after reinjuring his left hamstring during a rehab assignment last weekend with Double-A Akron. ... OF Kenny Lofton and 3B Russell Branyan tussled over a clubhouse card game Wednesday and had to be separated.

RANGERS: OF Ruben Sierra will play in the Triple-A All-Star Game on July 12 in Rochester, N.Y., and is hitting .332 with seven homers and 35 RBI for the Oklahoma RedHawks. He played in three major league All-Star Games (1989, '91, '92) for the Rangers.

RED SOX: RHP John Wasdin was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to pitch tonight against Toronto in place of LHP Jeff Fassero, who is on the disabled list.

WHITE SOX: RHP Jon Garland, regarded as Chicago's top minor league pitching prospect, was chosen to play in the Triple-A All-Star game.

Around the NL

EXPOS: C Lenny Webster was activated from the 15-day DL and C Charlie O'Brien was released.

METS: RHP Bobby J. Jones will be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk today to start against Pittsburgh.

PHILLIES: RHP Dave Coggin will be recalled from Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre today to start against Montreal.

REDS: OF Deion Sanders was moved from the disabled list to a restricted list. Sanders ended his baseball career to play football for the Washington Redskins.